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Recreation.govCA

Patterson Guard Station

Modoc National Forest

Set availability alertOfficial reservation

Upcoming Availability

7 of 14 days currently show available sites.

View releasing sites

Sun, Jul 26

None

available

Mon, Jul 27

None

available

Tue, Jul 28

None

available

Wed, Jul 29

None

available

Thu, Jul 30

None

available

Fri, Jul 31

None

available

Sat, Aug 1

None

available

Sun, Aug 2

1

site

Mon, Aug 3

1

site

Tue, Aug 4

1

site

Wed, Aug 5

1

site

Thu, Aug 6

1

site

Fri, Aug 7

1

site

Sat, Aug 8

1

site

Campground guide

What to know before booking

*Altitude is 7,080 feet above sea level* Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees, Patterson Guard Station has stood since 1921. Patterson Guard Station was restored in 2022 thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Warner Mountains form a prominent Northwestern boundary of the basin and range geologic province that envelops the entire state of Nevada.

max Stay

14 nights

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

Facilities

Patterson Guard Station was restored in 2022 thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The guard station is currently equiped with one bunk bed (two matresses). There will also be two chairs that each convert to a single bed. Pots and pans will be provided. Pets are allowed. The guard station features a new refrigerator and oven/range fueled by propane (provided). New floors and a wood-burning stove (firewood provided) make this facility almost as cozy as your own home. Potable water is not available on-site. Non-potable water may be available but visitors should bring all the water needed for drinking and washing. An outhouse stands roughly 100 feet from the front door, across the driveway. Entering this facility requires walking up at least two stairs to enter the back door, three stairs up to the front porch and door. As your reservation approaches, you will be instructed on how to obtain codes/keys to the entry gate and guard station doors. THINGS YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU: DRINKING WATER AND WATER FOR WASHING BATTERY POWERED LANTERNS AND LIGHTS FOR INDOOR USE BUG SPRAY AND FIRST AID KITS BEDDING (SLEEPING BAGS, BLANKETS, SHEETS, PILLOWS) Check-in is 2pm and check-out is 11am. Maximum occupancy is listed at eight (8) but when it comes to sleeping arrangments, the guard station will only accomdate four (4) persons.

Natural Features

The Warner Mountains form a prominent Northwestern boundary of the basin and range geologic province that envelops the entire state of Nevada. This range was once a sedimentary basin between volcanoes of the ancestral Cascade Range until the Warners went through their own phases of active volcanism between ~28 million years ago until as recently as 2 to 3 million years ago. Dramatic uplift on the eastern side of this range provides breathtaking views, best seen from Surprise Valley, east of the Warners. South-facing slopes in the Warner Mountains are often dry and host Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pine, Juniper trees and Sagebrush. North facing slopes are wetter and host Fir trees. Aspen trees are found along streams and boggy areas beside Corn Lillies that can grow up to 5 feet tall before drying up by mid-summer.

Recreation

Hiking & Horseback Riding The nearby trails within the South Warner Wilderness offer wild landscapes and solitude for hikers and horseback riders. The Wilderness Act of 1964 prohibits the use of motorized and/or mechanized equipment within the Wilderness area (limited exceptions are provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act). South Warner WIlderness maps are advised and always available at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor's Office in Alturas, Calif. Maps may also be available at the Likely General Store in Likely, Calif. Off-Highway Vehicles Many of the roads near Patterson Guard Station, outside of the wilderness area, are open to Off-Highway Vehicles. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available online and at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor's Office in Alturas, Calif. Boating Blue Lake, 9 miles west, features a boat ramp and dock for motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Help keep this lake clean by following the California Invasive Species Prevention Program Please respect the 10 mph speed limit on the lake. If speed-boating is your thing, consider launching your boat at West Valley Reservoir instead.

Nearby Attractions

Blue Lake, 9 miles West, offers a boat ramp and dock with a kayak launcher, fishing platform, day use area with grills and picnic tables and a developed campground with 40+ developed campsites at $15/night. Cedarville, California, is a historic western town offering restuarants, a grocery store, and shopping oppourtunities. 31 miles North along County Road 1.

Important notices

This facility is located in a remote area far from any services; before arriving for your reservation, become familiar with the nearest services (i.e., hospitals and gas stations) and seek local weather predictions from the National Weather Service, especially if visiting during the Spring or Fall.
This is a remote location. Access to the cabin is variable and the road is not maintained for winter use

More at Modoc National Forest

Other tracked campgrounds from the same park or area.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Blue Lake Campground Group Site - Modoc Nf (Ca)

Modoc National Forest

6.1 mi

Mcarthur-Burney Falls Mem SP Cabins

76.9 mi

Mcarthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP

77.1 mi

Warner Valley Campground

Lassen Volcanic National Park

81.9 mi

Almanor

Lassen National Forest

85 mi

Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins (Ca)

Lassen Volcanic National Park

85.3 mi

Common questions

Is Patterson Guard Station available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 7 of the next 14 days, starting Sun, Aug 2. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.

How do I book Patterson Guard Station?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.